"The Best Things in Life Aren't Things"

On the contrary, in my opinion they are feelings.

The best feelings in life are:

-That lovely euphoric high you get after jumping around singing to your favorite songs with friends.

-That endorphine buzz you get post that grueling workout, when you feel you are in taking flight even though you're really just covered in sweat.

-That glow and warm feeling you get after someone asks how you are doing with a hint of worry and genuinely listens to your reply, especially when you weren't at your best times.

-That warm feeling on your skin as you lay out on a sun-bed or by the pool, the heat you despise when you are going out/running errands, but love when you are chilling in the summer sun (**oxymoron); makes you feel blessed you are alive.

-Butterflies in your stomach just before a big event, your time to shine, entering a party, seeing a special someone; that good stress ushering something exciting.

-That content disposition you find yourself in after you've checked everything off your task list, and done all those things you've put off for so long; productiveness means more time to do the things you love.

-That solemn spirit you get infused with post practicing your prayers, reading the Quraan, doing something spiritual; a feeling of connectness with the world, universe, and your maker.

-Those heart-filled kisses, warm hugs and care-induced touches that make you really believe that you're not in this alone and there are others that will be there in a heart-beat.

-That "كش شعر ينبي"/goosebumps feeling you get when you are witnessing a special ceremony such as a wedding, a patriotic song, a rock concert, anything where a huge group of people come together to celebrate or stand together and rejoice as one; absolute euphoria.

This might seem like a cliche, but "the best things in life are truly free."

I know Visa will beg to disagree; then again it's just another plastic card, which ironically makes you feel lousy at the end of the month. Ha-Ha.

Embrace Life; you only get to live it once.

xx

Baroque

Ps. "كل شي في وقته حلو"

Photo Credits: Saying Images

"ساهر الليل" ; A glimpse of "الزمن الجميل"

In the race of Ramadan Sitcoms and Shows, there's one show that really stands out on TV "ساهر الليل".

An ode to the good old days, the sitcom is set in Kuwait in the 70's;

apparently the golden age and "أحلى سنين" as almost every adult in Kuwait seems to

suggest (I wouldn't know I wasn't born yet, sad..)

The Cinematography is amazing, everything was taken into consideration from the

actual colors of the shots that all seem to be in shot in that hazy vibrant shade that

is very reminiscent to that "sepia" option on our modern day cameras,to the clothes

,to the hairstyles, to the cars (or as they call it "الموتر"on the show which I found

really cute) to even the beverages (everyone seems to be sipping drinks from

vintage coke and miranda glass bottles).

Best of all, the storyline is easy going. No violence, drugs, modern day drama

-something of which all the other shows seem to excel in and which quite frankly is

not just boring, but a constant repetition.

I'm all for showcasing/imitating things that happen in real life, things we might not

want to believe are happening in our society but actually take place and all that;

but when you get fed spoon-loads of that every Ramadan and see that drama

occur everywhere one needs to escape to a better more utopia-istic generation,

and that's exactly what "Sahir Al-Layl" does.

It's all about social relationships; family bonds (it follows the story of 3 families

and their daily life),romance (the days in which "الجامعه" was a place to "حبني وأحبك"

and where endless love stories took center stage; it's not the same now, we no

longer hear of college romances), and giving the viewers a stroll down memory

lane (I know my mom was blown away by the university scenes that seemed to

remind her of Kuwait University in the seventies, as she commented "ظبطينها").

In one word, it's a delight. Sort of like a chick-flick movie gone all Kuwaiti

Ramadan TV show. No drama, no frowns, just a pleasant easy spin in the

seventies if only for an hour or so; apleasant lovely escape from politics,drama

and Ramadan stressors.

And as I once tweeted, I feel like "نسفت القتره على الكتف" is going to be hitting every guy near you post "ساهر الليل"; seventies style will definitely be in.

I feel a "Does Art Imitates Life, or does Life Imitate Art?" discussion coming up.

xx

Baroque

PS. Gimme sometime I'll get my act straight, and give it all back to you.

Rama-dan-a-ding.

Prayers during Eid, originally uploaded by Ashish T.

*sweeps off the dust* It's been ages I know; beautiful picture no?

Back to business...

Ramadan is on it's final leg, and to all of those suggesting that it flew past and you can't believe that we are on the final 10 days; let me tell you this, "NO IT DIDN'T."

I'm all for the Ramadan Spirit, it's one of my favorite months and all, but Oh God it did not go by with a blink of an eye, it took lots of work:

-Endless days out, can actually count the days I stayed in at home on one hand, blimey that's like less than 5 days.

-Lots of "استقبالات" ، :"مواجيب" and "غبقات" ; or in plain english social obligations that take place from 9 to 1 am just giving you time to have a light meal before you have to fast again

- A muddled up sleeping schedule that involves saying good-nite to the sun as it rises and bidding it a good morning as it set, making your day night and your night day, along with various attempts to reset them with Panadol Night but alas it's no use, we all know "Eid" is going to be the time that circadian rhythms automatically go back to normal.

All in all it's been a fabulous Ramadan yet, one filled with endless nice social encounters with people I haven't seen in ages, big emphasis on nice, yummy food, gorgeous outfits, lovely family reunions and bonding, and a spiritual high.

How has your Ramadan been?

"كل عام وانتم بخير وعساكم من عواده الشهر الفضيل"

اكس اكس

باروك / Baroque